You don't have to venture beyond Greater Lowell for a succulent lobster roll

If you're looking for a good lobster roll, think again before jumping into the car and heading to the coast. While the drive might be scenic, you could get stuck in traffic. In the end, you'll pay top dollar for a lobster roll by the sea.

Greater Lowell, on the other hand, ma y just surprise you for what it has to offer from a crustacean standpoint.

There are plenty of restaurants around here making succulent lobster rolls that have the effect of transporting you beach-side with one bite.

Don't believe me? I've got butter on my fingers as I type this. And some mayo. But that's beside the point.

Acting on readers' suggestions and several of our own, The Sun put me on the hunt to find the best lobsta' rolls -- and pocketbook values -- for the Summer of 2016.

Ah, it was a deliciously arduous task. After a week of trekking to restaurants and eateries within a 15-mile radius of my desk at The Sun on Dutton Street, and tasting, testing and tasting some more ... well, you get the point ... I've compiled my recommendations. Feel free to agree or disagree, but don't do so until you've tried them all.

Let's start off by saying this lobster roll is HUGE and a bargain for the price. Its buttery goodness and savory medley of spices immediately made this lobster roll stand out -- a great way to kick off our experiment.

Advertisement

Fresh tasting lobster, just the right amount of mayo and perfectly sized celery chunks nestled in crunchy furls of Boston Bibb lettuce. It is so stuffed with lobster that it nearly spills out of the roll -- I needed a fork to finish it.

According to District Executive Chef Frank Hurley, the lobster knuckles and claw meat come frozen from Maine. That's key for two reasons: quality seafood and a competitive cost for Atlantic lobster.

In addition to mayo, the lobster salad is scrumptiously seasoned with dill, parsley, lemon juice, salt and pepper. To enhance the flavor, Hurley dips the already buttery brioche bread into melted butter and sears it on a flat-top stove.

With all that mouth-watering detail in mind, it's no surprise that it's a restaurant favorite.

"It depends on the time of year, and it depends on the weather, but it usually falls within our number one or number two seller," Hurley said.

This classic hot-dog bun roll had some of the freshest tasting lobster I encountered on my mission. It was light on the mayo and a little watery, but once I drained it a bit, it was good to go. The massive chunks of fresh Canadian lobster were accompanied by lettuce and bit of celery.

This was a refreshing standout after some mayo-heavy counterparts I tasted. The lobster meat had a big, satisfying and chewy taste. Each bite pushed me further away from Westford and closer to a beach blanket in paradise. Sort of anyway.

The potato salad side was a nice departure from the usual French fries, and had tasty little chunks of cooked onion. The watermelon was sweet and ripe.

According to servers, the lobster roll ranks in the top three food items in sales and is available the entire season the Seafood and Grill Shack is open.

If I could ever think of tiring from eating too much lobster, this was the unique combo to get me back on track. It had a breakfast-lunch snap to it. (I wonder how this would go with pancakes?) I happily finished this standout sandwich and my side of cole slaw without any help. No sharing this one.

Chef Greg Lafontaine said the Maine lobster is sea-water steamed before it arrives. He then tosses it in a lemon and scallion aioli with finely diced celery. It's married with thick-sliced hickory-smoked bacon, lettuce, mayo and tomato on thick white toast. The flavors complement each other so well, like a lobsta-bacon tango on the tongue.

Bacon has a way of making just about everything taste better and the crunchy texture was a special change of pace.

Lafontaine tested the lobster BLT in July 2015 as a month-long special. It proved so popular he brought it back for the entire 2016 summer menu. You have until Sept. 1 to savor this one on your own.

While on the pricier side, the lobster BLT is well worth the extra $2 for a new spin on an old favorite. There's also a great variety of sides to choose from, including mixed veggies, asparagus, baked potato, Caesar salad and more.

The restaurant also offers a traditional lobster roll for $26.99. It's served on a fresh-baked crusty roll with lettuce.

There's also the jumbo lobster roll on fresh-baked French bread: $24.99 plus tax.

Stephanie Sampsonis-Keogh, whose family has owned the Glenview for 20 years, says the jumbo lobster roll has been on the menu for as long as she can remember. "It's the best lobster roll that's not on the beach," she said.

With a full half-pound of lobster, "the jumbo" is so big that most people can't finish it in one sitting. So they take it home, which isn't a bad way to leave the Glenview with a lobster snack for later.

The Glenview added the half-size lobster roll, served in a hot dog bun, a year ago.

Both have mayo, just a bit of lettuce and fresh Maine lobster delivered daily. They're available all year-round but are some of the restaurant's biggest sellers in the summer.

I tried the smaller version. It's a nice, simple, traditional take on the favorite. Tasty chopped lobster and a good amount of mayo without going overboard.

Good side choices abound: French fries, Cajun fries, hand-cut onion rings or onion strings for no additional charge. I went for the house onion rings, which are phenomenal. Sweet potato fries are $1 extra, or get half French fries and half onion rings for $1.50 more.

Livingstone's Seafood & Deli 265 Boston Road, North Billerica

Large lobster roll and French fries: $19.99 plus tax.

Livingstone's keeps it simple -- only lobster and mayo on lightly buttered, toasted panini bread -- preferring to let the lobster shine on its own without seasonings.

"Anything else disguises the taste of the lobster," said owner Fred Livingstone.

It's a nice classic take on the sandwich, and the crusty bread enhances the simple flavors. The fries were great with malt vinegar. It was a satisfying meal at a good price.

Not as hungry? A smaller, hot-dog size version is available on special for $15.99.

Both versions feature big chunks of Canadian and Maine lobster. They're served year-round and are some of the cafe's biggest sellers.

Jimbo's Famous Roast Beef & Seafood 616 Main St., Tewksbury

Lobster roll with steak fries, $14.95 plus tax.

A good quick option for diners on the go, and available year round.

The lobster salad is more chopped than chunks, pretty heavy on the mayo, and has a healthy helping of black pepper for flavor. Chopped celery can be added upon request. It's served on an oversized hot dog bun.

Cashier Monika Saini said it's a big seller, and most customers prefer to ditch the bun and just go for the lobster salad.

The lobster taste was rich, although the mayo was a bit heavy for me. A decent try for a fast-food style restaurant, especially for the price. The steak fries were hot and fresh out of the fryer.

If you'd rather skip the fries, there are lots of choices of sides that can be substituted at no additional cost, such as salad, steamed broccoli, rice, onion rings and more.

Lobster on the cheap

Market Basket (multiple locations; I went to 10 Main St., Tewksbury)

For the wallet-conscious or those who just want a quick, no-fuss meal, everybody's favorite local supermarket offers a lobster salad finger roll duo for $5.99 in the prepared foods section. Just lobster, heavy mayo and lettuce on two little white bread rolls -- pretty good for the price. For those with a big appetite, get two packages (four finger rolls) for $11.98 and satisfy your lobster cravings.

McDonald's (multiple locations; I went to 1260 Bridge St., Dracut)

Not bad for fast food, the burger shop offers a lobster roll with mayo and lettuce on a bun. It's $8.99 for the sandwich by itself, or add $1.50 for medium fries and a medium drink. Not as fresh as the options offered by the small restaurants, but it's good for an inexpensive taste of lobster on the go.

Welcome to your discussion forum: Sign in with a Disqus account or your social networking account for your comment to be posted immediately, provided it meets the guidelines. (READ HOW.)
Comments made here are the sole responsibility of the person posting them; these comments do not reflect the opinion of The Sun. So keep it civil.